Asmara, capital city of Eritrea All... Asmara, capital city of Eritrea Asmara is a diamond of a city. The sun shines down on its peaceful neighborhoods for eight straight months of the year, and the streets are lined with tantalizing pastry shops, vintage-style cafes and cheerful pizza parlors. This may sound like a small Italian village, but it really is the Eritrean capital. The European atmosphere and relaxed pace of life really make you feel like you are on an entirely different continent and so will the architectural wonders that are relics of the colonial era. It is one of the most enchanting and agreeable cities in Africa, and you will leave wanting more, no matter how long you stayed. The best thing to do in Asmara is to let your feet and heart be your guide. Wander the streets, taking in the stunning Italian architecture, and let your mind wander to another time and place. The palm-lined Independence Avenue is a good place to start. Known by locals as ìKombishtato,î the avenue is lined with old cinemas, mom-and-pop shops and cafes that have perfected the art of the cappuccino.

The city's tallest building, the Nyala Hotel, towers above the avenue's south end, and to the right of the cathedral is the capital's bustling and colorful marketplace. Stroll through the stalls taking in the incredible array of goods, including detailed olivewood carvings, gold-embroidered handmade garments, intoxicatingly aromatic spices and traditional goat-skin rugs. The nearby National Museum is worth a visit for a small but still impressive glimpse of Eritrea's history. The most interesting exhibits detail traditional countryside life and introduce the country's many ethnic groups. The Biet Ghiorghis Zoo and Park is located near the city outskirts, and it is worth the short trip. The zoo itself is not anything special, but the views from the eastern escarpment can't be beat. If the architecture in central Asmara makes you feel like you are in another land, the lifestyle in the nearby village of Tselot will convince you that you are in a completely different time. Located just outside the city, the village exemplifies the traditional rural lifestyle.

Stone houses sit on small, dusty plots of land, herds of goat and sheep graze in front of ancient Christian and Muslim temples and locals transport themselves and their goods on camelback or mule. Martyrs National Park is a short walk away from the village. Founded in 2000, the wildlife reserve offers spectacular scenery and views, from serene valleys to dramatic ridges. If you trek to the highest viewpoint, you will feel like you are standing above the clouds because of the thick fog that usually covers the mountaintops and gorges. It is a remarkable experience, and the park is one of the highlights of Asmara. After working up an appetite strolling through the city, feast on an authentic Italian meal at one of the many restaurants in the city, or try some delicious traditional Eritrean food. It is quite spicy, so be prepared to sweat a bit, and most dishes are served with ìinjera,î a sour-dough staple that resembles flatbread or pancakes. Follow your meal with a cup of strong Italian-style coffee or a lager from the country's only brewery, located in Asmara.

Asmara Geographical Location Asmara is located in the Maekel Region near the center of Eritrea. The population of Asmara is approximately 650,000 people and is the largest city in Eritrea. Asmara Language Eritrea’s three official languages are Tigrinya, Arabic, and English. Tigre, Kunama, Afar, and other Cushitic languages are spoken in smaller populations throughout the country. Asmara Predominant Religion 48% Muslim 2% Indigenous Beliefs There is almost an equal split between the populations of Muslims and Christians and for the most part they live geographically separate with the Muslims living in the lowlands and Christians living in the highlands. Asmara Currency The official currency of Eritrea is the Nakfa. Asmara Climate Asmara experiences warm summers and mild winters with subtle temperature changes between the two seasons. July and August are the rainiest months in which it rains a large portion of the annual rainfall within the two-month timeframe.

Asmara Main Attractions Asmara Theater and Opera House Cathedral of Asmara Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque Denkalya Desert Asmara | national capital, Eritrea | Britannica.com national capital, Eritrea Verkhoyansk Asmara, also spelled Asmera, city, capital of Eritrea . It is located on the northern tip of the Ethiopian Plateau at an elevation of 7,628 feet (2,325 metres). Asmara lies on the Eritrean Railway and is a major road junction; its international airport, built in 1962, is 2.5 miles (4 km) southeast, and its port on the Red Sea , Massawa , is 40 miles (65 km) northeast. Ethiopian Orthodox churches (St. Mary’s in background), Asmara, Eritrea. Picturepoint, London Formerly a hamlet of the Tigre people, Asmara became the capital of the Italian colony of Eritrea in 1900 and remained a small colonial town until 1934.

It was the main base for the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, and the town rapidly expanded as the leading city in Italian East Africa . Asmara was under British administration from 1941 until Eritrea’s federation with Ethiopia in 1952 and was the site of Kagnew, a U.S. telecommunications base from 1942 to 1977. It became the capital of independent Eritrea in 1993. The city is well planned and converges on the palm-lined main street on which are located the Roman Catholic cathedral (1922) and the Grand Mosque (1937). Other notable structures include the former palace (now a government residence), the legislative assembly and the municipal buildings, and St. Mary’s (the main Ethiopian Orthodox church). Also the seat of Asmara University (founded 1958, university status 1968), the city has a public library and numerous secondary schools. Asmara’s chief manufactures include textiles, footwear, and soft drinks. The city is also a busy agricultural marketplace and a major hide-tanning centre. The city’s population is approximately half Christian and half Muslim. Pop.

(2002 est.) 500,600. Learn More in these related articles: Asmara travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] Asmara panorama. Founded in the twelfth century by a union of villages trying to protect themselves from bandits, Asmara has grown to become a bustling city of over half a million people. Over its history, the city has endured the rule of various empires and countries, including the Italian Empire from the late 19th century, the British from after World War II and Ethiopia from 1950. After a long and bloody war with Ethiopia, Asmara was finally liberated in 1991 and became the capital of a country which had not had self-rule for two centuries. Today, it is difficult to walk down a street in downtown Asmara and not see an old Italian building. In the early 1930s, Mussolini, the Italian dictator, injected huge amounts of funds into the city with the goal of making it the centre of a second Roman Empire that spanned Africa . Architects were only limited by their imagination, and practically the entire city centre was rebuilt.

Not only were cathedrals built in ancient-Romanesque style, but also numerous offices influenced by the architectural movements of cubism and futurism. Climate[ edit ] The dry season from December to April is distinguished by the terrain of red-brown, rusty, beige or black rubble surrounding the city, resembling photos from Mars. The vegetation consists largely of shrubbery, eucalyptus, aloes, cacti and the odd explosively colorful species of bougainville, jacaranda or other ornamental plants. The rainy season between May and September (hopefully) brings torrents of rain and needed nourishment to the land, which transforms itself from lunar/martian-esque to verdant and grassy in the post-rain months of August to October. Regardless of when you go, temperatures in Asmara rarely rise above a comfortable dry 30°C in the sun. The capital is known for its lovely climate. There is very little humidity in the air so the biggest variations in temperatures occur between night and day, or whether one is standing in the sun or in the shade, not between seasons.

Between December and February, it can get very cold at night and in the morning, it can even drop a few degrees below 0°C. Due to lack of heating and insulation in Asmara, it is important to bring proper clothes. Rains only last a few hours at a time and it all dries up quickly enough, although the occasional flash flood is not uncommon during the rainy season. Get in[ edit ] Asmara International Airport ( IATA : ASM) ( ICAO : HHAS). Asmara currently hosts the country's only operating international airport, although there are two more international airports in Massawa and Assab. As of 2014, the airport served Cairo twice weekly by Egypt Air; Sanaa , Yemen twice weekly by Yemenia Airways; ; and Jeddah / Riyadh twice weekly by Saudi Arabian Airlines. As of June 2014, Eritrean Airlines is not operating any consistent flights. As of January 2010, Nasair, a private-state joint venture airline based in Massawa, served a few regional capitals such as Jeddah , Nairobi , Dubai and Khartoum as well as domestic airports Assab and Massawa.

There is an airport departure tax of US$20 or €15, payable in foreign currency if you don't have a local resident ID. If you entering the country without a visa, as a holder of an Eritrean ID card in combination with a foreign passport, you are required to register with the Immigration and Nationality office in Asmara within seven business days of entry into the country. Both Eritrea and Ethiopia maintain large military presences along the border and all border crossings into Ethiopia from Eritrea remain closed. Get around[ edit ] Asmara has 10 downtown bus-lines on distinctive Red Mercedes Benz buses, with a sign in the front saying where they're headed (oftentimes in Latin script). The bus stops are easily identifiable (there are signs and an obvious shelter with a bench), but the buses stop running quite early in the evening (about 7PM). They run on 15-30 minute intervals during the day (every day), but there is no fixed or published schedule. The roads get pretty jammed at rush hours (in the morning, midday and around 4PM in the evening).

The fare is 1 Nakfa, and the entrance is in the back where one buys the ticket. It is not necessary to have exact change, but one should try to pay in lower denominations. Line number 1 goes between the airport, 3 km south of the city, and the zoo in Biet Ghiorghis, 2 km (1 mi) east of the city on the eastern escarpment (the windy road to the Red Sea begins after Biet Ghirogis). Number 1 also passes through the main streets in downtown Asmara (Independence and Martyrs Avenues). All bus lines that begin with 2 (e.g. 21, 22, etc.), run between the marketplace downtown and the surrounding villages, but there are only a few a day. Therefore, plan to leave early in order to be able to return the same day. Only the locals know the schedule (through word of mouth). If you're lucky one of them speaks English and will be very helpful. Some villages like Embaderho and Tselot are well worth visiting for their scenery and traditional lifestyle.

There also white minibus-lines running on the main streets of the city, which run on fixed routes but without fixed stops or signs. They usually stop at the bus stops, but you still have to hail them when you see them, just like a cab. Before boarding, ask them where they're headed, unless the ticket-seller (called fottorino) doesn't beat you to it by announcing it loudly. Then, let them know when you want to get off ("Stop!" is a universally understood command). Finally there are the yellow taxis, most of which also run on fixed routes on the main streets like the white minivans. They have a similar system to the minivans, and the fare is 5 Nakfa. You'll most likely be sharing the ride with 3 other people. Since some cabs do not use fixed routes, some will take you personally to where you want to go. This is called kuntrat (koon-tratt), and you will have to negotiate the price with the driver.

These cabs usually wait outside the airport when a plane is coming in, the city's main hotels (Asmara Palace Hotel, Nyala, Ambassador etc.), the road to the right of the main cathedral downtown and other obvious spots. They can also be hailed on any street, but many cabs are on a fixed route with passengers already in them. Renting a car is insanely expensive and fuel prices are higher than in Europe. Renting a cab to drive you around town is equally extortionate, but it could be worthwhile on a longer trip outside of town. Be prepared to pay several thousand Nakfa (a few hundred dollars or euros) for a trip! It is perhaps better to take the bus or contact one of the national tour agencies (ask at the information desk at the airport upon arrival). See[ edit ][ add listing ] Asmara's main attraction is its colonial Italian architecture. The palm-lined main street "Independence Avenue" is colloquially referred to as "Kombishtato" (a creol of the neighbourhood's original name: Campo di Citta).

It is full of cafés, bars, shops and old cinemas, and it makes for a nice mile long stroll between the north end of this avenue where the "half" stadium is (you'll know when you see half a bleacher) and the south end facing the Nyala Hotel, the city's tallest building. Asmara's colourful and bustling marketplace lies behind the cathedral on the road to its right (as seen when standing in front of the cathedral's main entrance on Independence Avenue). It's a great place to learn how to haggle and buy some souvenirs. From the café on the top floor of the Nyala Hotel, one has a great view of the city while enjoying a nice well-chilled beer. The beer is exceptionally good in Asmara, aptly called "Asmara Beer". Behind the hotel on a quieter street is the National Museum, with an impressive collection spanning the six millennia of the land's civilization. On Massawa Road near the outskirts of the city, lies the Biet Ghiorghis Zoo and Park area, famous for its scenery of the eastern escarpment. The Zoo itself is rather sad.

Further down the road, one reaches Bar Durfo, a bar and café perched on a cliff overlooking the dramatic precipice of the Asmara - Massawa highway. You will need a car or taxi to get beyond the last stop of the No. 1 bus, Biet Ghiorghis, to Bar Durfo. Another place to see is the dramatic highland landscape on the eastern escarpment. Additionally, one can see a traditional Eritrean highland village in the village of Tselot (which means 'prayer' and is also famous for being the President's village). Tselot lies about 20 km (12 mi) outside the city center and is served by one of the red city buses departing from a section of the marketplace called "Meda Eritrea". You should leave as early as possible because there are only a couple of buses per day so you have to make sure you have a way to get back. The rural highland lifestyle in Tselot resembles Biblical times: stone houses, small plots, ancient temples (both Christian and Muslim), people farming and herding with traditional means using little technology, transporting their goods (as well as themselves) on mule- and camelback.

Within walking distance of the village, is the Martyrs National Park, inaugurated in 2000. It is a mountainous forest and wildlife reserve at the ridge of the highland plateau. The landscape consists of an eerily quiet semi-arid plain in a valley, an extension of the highland plateau, interrupted by the dramatic chasm of the eastern ridge which the village center straddles. The views and scenery are spectacular. The highest viewpoint features chasms, gorges and mountaintops bathed by a sea of clouds, which gives one the impression of standing "above the clouds". Do[ edit ][ add listing ] If you are in Asmara for a short stay, the best thing to do after you're done sightseeing in this city is to head for the outskirts where the scenery is stunning at the very least. Unless you come from a high altitude area yourself, you need a couple of days of strolling in Asmara to get your body used to the thin dry air at 2,600 m (8,530 ft).

Bring lots of sunscreen lotion but also a sweater as it can get really chilly not only at night but even when standing in the shade (temperatures can vary greatly on different sides of the same street depending on the position of the sun). The sun shines very bright throughout the day in Africa, especially so in Asmara where clouds are rare, so unless you enjoy squinting, bring UV blocking shades. If you like hiking, rock climbing and mountainbiking, the above mentioned areas outside of town are excellent places to do so, but bring your own gear (incuding bike) as there are no rental bikes and a very limited supply of safety equipment (shoes, ropes, etc.) in Asmara. However, tents and mosquito nets are readily available at an affordable price in the marketplace downtown. Also consult the locals and bring a guide, because it is good to have someone familiar with the place who speaks the local language in case of an accident or any other eventuality (like what is legal and not legal). For example, taking pictures around any government installation or authority (police, airport, ministries etc.) is strictly forbidden, and your guide can help you get out of such sticky situations.

Finally, take time to savor some good food in Asmara. Don't drink any "fresh" fruit juices or eat any ice cream unless you want health issues to mess up your time. Stick to bottled drinks, unpeeled fruits and cooked food. The Eritrean Festival is definitely one of, if not, the biggest event a tourist must see during their stay within the country. Better known as “Festival Eritrea”, it is identified as cultural festivity week within the country. The Eritrea community in the diaspora created the even in 1884 in Bologna-Italy. The event gathered Eritrean communities from around the globe to memorialize the “Struggle for Independence” movement. The first official festival started inside the now free and independent Eritrea in August 2002, which after that point its been annually celebrated as the “Expo” in Asmara and different major cities around the world such as London, Washington DC, and so on. Within the festival you witness and learn about Eritrean culture.

The different types of clothing between the different tribes, the different dances, and the food from all nine Eritrean ethnic groups, as well as the development work going on in the country are just some of the things found at the “Expo”. url=”( ” Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Gold and silver jewellery is cheap in Asmara and is definitely a bargain by world standards. So are frankincense and myrrh (if you have any use for them). Otherwise most of the souvenirs bought by tourists are the local home-spun and gold-thread embroidered cotton garments, traditional goat-skin rugs, olivewood carvings, clay coffee-pots and other traditional knick-knacks - all of which are found at the marketplace. It is definitely recommended that tourists go around the main cities and go see what they can find around the local stores. Souvenirs can be found almost anywhere amongst the several shops found with in the country. Anywhere from jewelry like Gold and Silver, which is what you, will most commonly find in terms of jewelry. Then you range of to other miscellaneous objects and relics such as pottery, swords, daggers, baskets, and other great souvenirs within the marketplace.

Food definitely is one-thing tourists will find themselves spending money on. With the diversity of restaurants from local traditional food, to Chinese and Indian cuisine, different options are available Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Eritrea is big on Italian food, due to having been an Italian colony between 1890 and 1940. There is a huge range of restaurants in Asmara serving Italian food with Albergo Italia being the best in quality, closely followed by the outdoor setting of Casa Degli Italiani, Alba Bistro opposite the post office also offers a quality, wide range, of food not forgetting Castello behind the Nyala Hotel. The Spagetti and Pizza House on Harnet Av. offers a great choice of pizza and pasta dishes as well as its signature Chilli red snapper. Most traditional Eritrean food is quite spicy, and consists generally of very hot meat and/or vegetable stews, eaten over the staple called "injera" a kind of sour-dough pancake or flatbread. Blue Bird and Milano are generally considered the best places for traditional food. On the up-side, there are many restaurants which make hamburgers using quality organic beef or lamb, such as The Mask Restaurant.

For Indian and Far East cuisine you can visit the Rooftop Garden or The China Star For a taste of home and a fantastic steak visit the weekend only restaurant at the Asmara Palace Hotel although avoid their buffets. Drink a lot because Asmara will dry you out. Mineral water is there in abundance and that is really the only water you can drink. Don't drink the tapwater if you value your health. Similarly, there are also a lot of bottled fruit juices, 'Fresh' juices are typically safe to drink in the cleaner bars and restaurants. Eritreans, especially Asmarinos, love their coffee. Like so much else it is imbibed Italian-style and the city's favorite coffee drink is the macchiato (makyato) ie. 'stained' (that is coffee stained with a touch of steamed milk-froth) which is definitely worth a try if you like strong, sweet coffee. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Eritrea is not a big wine country, even though it used to have a wine-making tradition during the colonial period.

On the other hand, Eritrea is a big beer-drinking country, and the Eritrean beer is definitely a good one if you like lager, pilsner or dark beer. All three varieties are made by the country's only brewery, which is in Asmara and is aptly called "Asmara Beer". Asmara Beer is great, quenches your thirsty throat and has a good taste. Between early 2008 and May 2009 it was not available, due to a lack of hard currency for buying imported malt. As of June 2009, nationwide distribution was back. Asmara brewers have proven they produce a good Pilsner beer. Most varieties have around 5% alcohol per volume and a nice hop flavour in the well known bottle. Enjoy! Nightlife in Asmara is often considered quieter than most other country capitals, but there are a good range of local bars and also the infamous Zara Bar near the Blue Bird restaurant is a popular haunt with expats. Asmara is an extremely safe city, safe enough for a stroll in the middle of the night.

Most people are genuinely friendly, without wanting anything in exchange, beggary and hustling is not as common as in most other third world countries and neither is tourism. Prostitution is legal and rife. After the Zara Bar closes there are few choices of night clubs although they do exist. Mocambo is in a basement in the downtown area and is popular with young locals. The Warsai is out of the way and a little seedy. The Asmara Palace Hotel boasts The Green Pub which has disco's on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. In the Expo grounds there is the Benifer which is a restaurant by day but a busy club by night, and the Shamrock which used to be popular with UN staff. Word of warning, entry is normally priced at 100 Nacfa + and beer is similarly priced. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Asmara Palace Hotel (formally the Intercontinental Hotel) out by the airport. The odd spaceship-looking hotel probably has the comfiest beds. But why commute from so far away at such an outrageous price?

One can be just as comfortable for much less in the middle of the city where there are plenty of cheap or moderately-priced hotels ranging from US$10-60. Some examples are: Albergo Italia (formally the Keren Hotel), by the central post office. Nyala Hotel, (the city's highest building on Martyrs Avenue). Embasoira Hotel, behind Independence Avenue (on the east side). Hamassien Hotel, right next door to the Embasoira. The Swiss-cottage-looking building. Sunshine Hotel, near the Roof Garden restaurant. Selam Hotel, a few blocks away from the Presidential Palace and the National Museum and has a nice garden. The Buon Respiro is a very cosy Bed and Breakfast in an ornate Italian villa with a nice patio in the middle of the city just a few blocks from Cinema Odeon. The Crystal Hotel behind Cinema Roma, similar to the Sunshine Hotel. Embassies[ edit ] Egypt, 5 Moursi Fatma street, ☎ +2911 124935 ( embassy-asmara@mfa.gov.eg , fax: +2911 123294), [1] .

9:00 AM - 16:00 PM. edit Germany, Saba Development Bldg. 8th fl. Warsay Street, ☎ 00-29-11-186670/71 ( info@asmara.diplo.de , fax: 00-29-11-186900). Mon - Thu 7.30 - 16.45, Fri 7.30 - 13.30. edit Greece, P.O. Box 4173, ☎ +291 1 12-19-76 (fax: +291 1 12-20-17). edit Norway, Street 173-1 # 11, P.O. Box 5801, ☎ +291 1 12 21 38 ( emb.asmara@mfa.no , fax: +291 1 12 21 80).

edit United States of America, 179 Ala St, ☎ +291 1 12-00-04 ( usembassyasmara@state.gov; consularasmara@state.gov , fax: +291 1 12-75-84), [2] . Mon - Thu 8AM-6PM, Fri 8AM-noon. edit Get out[ edit ] To leave Asmara to go anywhere else in the country you need a traveler's permit which can be obtained from the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality opposite the Cathedral Compound on Harnet Av. downtown. If you intend to leave by Air, see the "Getting In" section. There are two domestic flight routes as of date and they go to the port cities of Massawa (half an hour's flight and only 110 km northeast) and Assab at the southwest tip of the country by the borders of Djibouti and Ethiopia (an hour and half's flight and nearly 1000 km away). There are roads heading in 4 directions from Asmara.

At Asmara's city limits on each of these roads, there are also military-police roadblocks (called "blocco" locally) where you will be checked for your ID and traveller's permit. Always carry these or certified copies of these with you. The blocco for the road towards the coast is placed past the village of Durfo and is called "blocco Batsi" (Batsi is another name for Massawa). The blocco for the road heading west towards the country's second largest town Keren and the western lowlands (bordering Sudan) is called "blocco Keren" and the blocco for the two roads heading south is called "blocco Godaeif" (Asmara's southernmost suburb) which later divides at a fork with one road towards the southwestern highlands and the Mereb river border crossing (now closed) to Ethiopia and the other road towards the southeastern highlands and the "Zalambessa" border crossing to Ethiopia (closed). Besides the bloccos, there are also mobile and random checkpoints on the roads and both inside and outside the limits of nearly all towns and communities in Eritrea. So you will be asked more than once for your papers.

Buses are the main means of transport in Eritrea other than camelback or your own car. Buses run to all main towns and villages from Asmara, some several times a day, others only once a day or a couple of times a week, requiring you to sleepover for one or more nights there or even on the way, before returning. Buses don't run after dusk because of road safety (Eritrea is a very mountainous country). Fog and mist can severely delay traffic as well. Renting a car or chartering a taxi is possible in Eritrea, but both cost about the same and are extremely expensive, as is the price of fuel. There is one narrow-gauge train line, from Asmara to Massawa, but it is driven by a slow steam-engine which only runs for chartered tours. Asmara Map | Map of Asmara City, Eritrea Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited,its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. Asmara is the capital city of Eritrea.

It is situated on the eastern boundary of the Eritrean plateau. The city got its name from Arbaete Asmara, which literally means, "the four are united". The city has great climatic conditions. It has clean streets and beautiful palm trees lining by the sides. The city can be termed as the one of the safest places in Africa for the tourists. History of Asmara : The origin of the city of Asmara dates back to some 700 years. It is said that Menelik I, son of Solomon and Queen of Sheba was born in this place. Governor Martini declared Asmara as the capital city in the year 1897. The city exhibits colonial influence in its architecture, traditions and infrastructure. Hotels in Asmara : There are various categories of hotels in Asmara that provide comfort and conveniences to the tourists. To name a few are Africa Pension, Inter-Continental Hotel and Albergo Italia. These hotels are well furnished and decorated. They provide the guests all amenities and comfort to make their stay a memorable one.

Attractions at Asmara : Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque Eritrea - The Beautiful City of Asmara - YouTube Eritrea - The Beautiful City of Asmara Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Jul 8, 2007 Here's what tourists are saying about beautiful Asmara, Eritrea. ------ The capital of newly independent Eritrea, Asmara is one of the most beautiful and pleasant cities in the whole of Africa, if not anywhere in the World. Situated at an elevation of 2400 metres above sea-level, its climate is pleasantly cool, but also dry and sunny for much of the year. Architecturally, it is a real feast for the eyes. Having been the centre of Italian colonial efforts in Africa in the first part of the 20th century, Asmara was blessed with beautiful buildings that would only draw praise in Italy as well.

Even after the Italians were gone, the city has managed to escape the raveges of third world development, and has amazingly even survived the wars with Ethiopia intact. Current government policies also prevent it from become yet another sprawling, polluted African capital ringed with slums. Not only is Asmara beautiful, clean and pleasantly cool, it is also a very safe and relaxed city, where one can walk around at any time of the day or night without having to worry about safety, or even more minor hassles like beggars. The locals are a very cultured lot who seem to pride themselves on their city's Italian heritage, fondly call it "Little Rome", and cafeterias and pizzerias do a roaring trade along the city's main avenue. And in case you start wondering whether all this comes at a price, you might be delighted to hear that Asmara is also among the cheapest capitals in the continent! Not surprisingly, this is one of the few places that visitors almost invariably fall in love with instantly. ======== If there is a country that has ever deserved the overused titles like "hidden gem" or "overlooked jewel", Eritrea is it.

The mere name of this country along the Red Sea coast of East Africa tends to provoke blank looks from most people: "Eritrea??? What... err... where is it, actually???" History is partly to blame for sure. Under foreign occupation for centuries, Eritrea only appeared on the maps as an independent country in 1993, when its people have voted for leaving Ethiopia after decades of armed struggle. And ever since then, it has only hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. So that is why Eritrea is largely unknown to the World, but what makes it a gem? First and foremost, its capital Asmara is the single most beautiful city in Africa, and an ethernal favourite of all those who have been there. Its history as an Italian colonial town has blessed it with an architectural legacy that would draw praise even in Europe. Beautiful buildings apart, the Italians have also left behind their impact on the local culture: cafeterias, pizzerias and fashionably dressed locals (including Africa's most beautiful women) make you feel far removed from the hectic, poverty-stricken and polluted cities of the rest of the continent.

To further ensure a pleasant stay, Asmara's climate is as pleasant as it gets, with cool, dry, sunny weather throughout the year. Wishing for something more exotic? Asmara may feel like a piece of Italy, but out in the country you will find an amalgam of African cultures at their best. The highland plateu of southern Eritrea shares the ancient Orthodox Christian traditions of neighbouring Ethiopia, the peoples inhabiting the deserts to the west and along the Red Sea coast exhibit Muslim culture at its most colorful, while animistic, tribal Africa is represented by the Kunama and Nara of the south-west. The landscapes range from lush, cool highlands to the hottest, most desolate deserts anywhere, towns and villages exhibit a curious mixture of traditionally African and Mediterranian influences, and wildlife, while nowhere nearly as abundant as in Kenya or Tanzania, is varied and includes many rare species. Nevertheless, what really gives a lasting impression of Eritrea is her people. Eritreans are among the most educated, dignified and hospitable people I have met anywhere, and the begging, thievery and hassles encountered elsewhere in Africa quickly fade into distant memories here.

I visited Eritrea in 2004, as part of a three-month-long tour of North-East Africa, that also took me to neighbouring Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti and Somaliland. Due to Eritrea's relationship with these neighbours getting here required quite an amount of persistance and determination, but once I arrived, I felt it was all worth it. Eritrea has immediately became my favourite country in Africa, and I can only wish to return for a longer stay in the future. If you are at all thinking about visiting this country, think no more - go!

In A Nutshell: "My favourite country in Africa!" Eritrea's capital city, a.k.a the 'Miami of Africa', could become Africa's next world heritage site | MG Africa Eritrea's capital city, a.k.a the 'Miami of Africa', could become Africa's next world heritage site 21 Feb 2016 14:25 The futuristic Fiat Tagliero Building (1938) in Asmara, Eritrea (Photo/David Stanley/Flickr) ERITREA today is famous as one of the most closed African countries, with the continent’s most repressive regimes led by the glum and brooding Isaias Afewerki. Be prepared to be surprised. Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, has one of the largest collections of modernist architecture in the world, impressive features that bolster the application made on February 1 for it to be listed as a World Heritage site. Unesco World Heritage Sites are natural and cultural legacies of “outstanding value to humanity” and these approximately 400 buildings and their legacy make Asmara a unique contender for the esteemed status.

The fate of the application, submitted by the Asmara Heritage Project (AHP), will be known before July 2017 and, as the Asmara project already meets several of the ten criterion for heritage status, there are high hopes. For centuries, Eritrea was influenced by the cultures and religions of different rulers, from the Egyptians and the Ottomans to the Europeans. These all left their traces on the culture and architecture of the country, but it was Italy’s occupation that had the strongest mark. Miami of Africa Asmara was under Italian occupation from 1889, but it was Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 that transformed the small town then into Africa’s most modern metropolis. Asmara grew to become a capital city, with zoning, sanitation and modern drainage systems and buildings that followed the design principles and architectural styles indebted to European tendencies at the turn of the century. Then, during the urban expansion programs in the 1930s, hundreds of Modernist buildings went up.

As described by Edward Denison - an independent architectural specialist, co-author of “Asmara: Africa’s Secret Modernist City” and a member of the AHP team - last year at the Africa Research Institute: “overnight, the skeletal form of a modern and brilliant urban plan, conceived in the 1910s by a particularly enlightened Italian architect-engineer Odoardo Cavagnari, was lavishly clothed in modernist architecture.” It should, however, be noted that there was some was some architectural experimentation and innovation also happening with one of the city’s most striking structures, the Fiat Tagliero service station, for example, being built in 1938. It was a bold tribute to futurism which is an Italian artistic movement that had comparatively little architectural exposure. Cinema Impero on Harnet Avenue, opened in 1938 (Photo/David Stanely/Flickr) The spectrum of the Modernist buildings exist in an area of about four square kilometres in the town centre and earned Asmara the title as the “Miami of Africa” in reference to the US city’s famous style which features geometric shapes, curves and soft colours. But these plans and structures also had African influence.

Denison again mentioned this, explaining how many of the structures were built using local materials, local workers, with parts of them inspired by local techniques - such as the “monkey head” building technique which uses wooden dowels to bind the walls - and how the Italian planners embraced the topography of Asmara as they developed the urban plans. “Their designs sought to create a modern city that addressed the uniquely modern requirements of transportation, communication and sanitation, but did so in a way that respected and responded to the local environment while embracing modern planning principles. In doing so they created a very distinct urban plan. Although the city has since expanded and evolved substantially, the core characteristics have been retained, highlighting the success of the original designs.” Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral. (1938) (Photo/David Stanley/Flickr). Hope for restoration Many buildings are in run-down condition requiring an overhaul and modernisation of facilities including sanitation and electricity. An important step in this process will be the recognition of the Asmara architecture as a World Heritage by the UNESCO. Through recognition there’s hope that the huge costs of renovation and preservation can be met if Asmara’s architecture can become the cornerstone of gainful tourism in Eritrea. The potential is there.

Though the city’s striking architecture is the icing on the cake, Eritrea has many attractions to offer; the Red Sea, scenic mountain region, diverse fauna and flora, the historical landmarks of antique cultures of the Axumite Empire, Christian churches and monasteries, the Ottoman urban culture with the port of Massawa and the renovated railway from Massawa to Asmara. World's Safest City is Asmara - Madote Home Eritrean News Horn News World's Safest City is Asmara World's Safest City is Asmara Admin Asmara, Eritrea is the World's Safest City View of Asmara, Eritrea - Photo by Frances Linzee Gordon When most people think of the world's safest city, cities like Luxemberg, Bern, Geneva, Helsinki, and Singapore usually come to mind. While those cities are often citied as being one of the safest cities, the people who often compile these list almost always overlook Africa. Unfortunately, in many people's minds, Africa is usually perceived with wars, poverty, hunger, crime, etc. Little do they know that one of the world's safest cities is to be found in Africa.

Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, is without a doubt the safest city in Africa and arguably one of the safest, if not the safest city this planet has to offer. Crime in Asmara is virtually unheard of and most of the city's residence often leave their homes, car doors and bikes unlocked. But before you think this is some lame attempt of swindling readers with misinformation, take the time to read the following quotes made by various American and European journalist, authors, and seasoned tourists about Asmara's renowned safety. Michela Wrong, a British author who has traveled to Eritrea extensively wrote the following paragraph about Asmara's safety: The country was awash with Soviet and American weaponry, yet crime was almost unknown. The most dangerous thing that could happen to you in Asmara after dark was to stumble on a piece of broken paving. Ironically, a capital that had witnessed so much violence was blessed with an extraordinary tranquility, it breathed peace in time with the cicada's rhythmic rasp. Asmara was certainly the only African city in which not only was I regularly offered lifts by strangers, but I accepted them without hesitation.

I didn't do it for you: how the world betrayed a small African nation By Michela Wrong, p. 16 Michela goes on to highlight Eritrean people's cultured hospitality: One's expectations were always being turned on their head. "Have you got any local money?" A handsome Eritrean student who had shared my flight asked as we were about to leave the airport terminal. Before I had time to mutter a refusal, he had extracted a banknote from his wallet: "Here, take this for the taxi. You can pay me back later." It was a typically Eritrean moment: in one of the world's poorest nations, I had just become the scrounger. I didn't do it for you: how the world betrayed a small African nation By Michela Wrong, p. 16 A reporter for British newspaper the Telegraph visited Eritrea and wrote an article about her experiences in Asmara. When she had gotten to the part where she was supposed to inform her readers on what part of Asmara to avoid, she responded with the following: What would you tell them to avoid? Nowhere – I think Asmara must be the safest city in the world. I never feel frightened.

Local and foreign women can walk the streets at night without fear, and local people do not hassle foreigners. My kind of town Asmara, Eritrea - 20 Nov 2006, Telegraph, by Jennie Street A New York Times reporter by the name Jeffrey Gettleman describes Asmara as almost having "no crime", and went on to highlight that most Asmarinos don't even "bother to lock up their bikes." And Mr. Gettleman reminds his readers that if Asmara's safety and beauty sounded too good to be true for them, that it isn't. In other words, Asmara is the real deal. There’s almost no crime. Asmara is known as one of the safest cities in Africa. Most people don’t even bother to lock up their bikes. The climate is ideal, 70s and 80s during the day, 60s at night. The hotels are cheap but rich with character. On the coast, the beaches are deserted. And the water? Evian clear. If all this sounds too good to be true, it isn’t.

Recalling La Dolce Vita in Eritrea, New York Times, October 5, 2008, by Jeffrey Gettleman When the reporter Robert D. Kaplan visited Eritrea, he describes how Asmara is a place where the citizens can leave their car doors unlocked and prowl the back streets at all hours without fear of being robbed". He goes on to mention that foreign diplomats move freely around the country without guards or other escorts, as if they were home. Security, which consumes the Western diplomatic and aid communities in Sana'a (and everywhere else in the Middle East), is barely an issue in Asmara, Eritrea's capital. Despite its tattered storefronts, Asmara not only is one of the cleanest capital cities in Africa but also may be the only capital south of the Sahara where one can leave the car doors unlocked or prowl the back streets at all hours without fear of being robbed, even though the police are barely in evidence. American, Israeli, and other resident diplomats and aid administrators in Eritrea move freely around the country without guards or other escorts, as if they were at home. A Tale of Two Colonies, The Atlantic, by Robert D.

Kaplan Even the president of Eritrea hardly brings along any security when traveling through Asmara. According to Kaplan's western diplomat sources, the president of Eritrea is seen "disappearing into large crowds of Eritreans without any security detail at all." He moves around the capital in the passenger seat of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, with only one escort car, stopping at red lights. Western diplomats here say they have seen him disappear into large crowds of Eritreans without any security detail at all. "It's easy to put a bullet in him, and he knows it," one foreign diplomat said to me. A Tale of Two Colonies, The Atlantic, by Robert D. Kaplan Finally, we end this article with a seasoned tourist's accounts of Asmara: Not only is Asmara beautiful, clean and pleasantly cool, it is also a very safe and relaxed city, where one can walk around at any time of the day or night without having to worry about safety, or even more minor hassles like beggars. So next time you think of the world's safest cities, make sure to include Asmara near the top. It's only crime is being associated with the outdated stereotypes of Africa.

The following photos are of Asmara, Eritrea. Click on images to see larger quality. Early morning in Asama - Photo by Shawn Baldwin Coffee at the Cinema Roma in Asmara - Shawn Baldwin Fiat Tagliero gas station - Photo by Shawn Baldwin Sponsored Ads Eritrea - Country Profile - Hagere Ertra - Eastern Africa Info ___ Eritrea A virtual guide to Eritrea, an Eastern African country with a coastline on the Red Sea, it is bordered by Sudan in west, by Ethiopia in south and by Djibouti in south east. and Sudan. Eritrea shares also maritime borders with Saudi Arabia and Yemen . Compared its area of 117,000 km2 is almost four times the size of Belgium or slightly larger than the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Its capital and largest city Asmara is situated on the northwestern edge of the Eritrean highlands. Its population of 6 million people is made up of Tigrinya (55%), Tigre (30%) and some smaller ethnic groups. Spoken languages are Tigrinya, Arabic, and English. Read on to learn more about the many aspects of the Eritrean culture, history and geography.

Get key information on Eritrea's economy, education, environment, population, and government. Asmara City Scene State of Eritrea | Hagere Ertra Country Profile Flag of Eritrea Background: Eritrea is located in Eastern Africa in the Horn of Africa, to the North of Ethiopia and bordering the Red Sea in Northeast. It has a mixed Afro-Asiatic population that is divided by religion and language. The former Italian and British colony gained formal independence from Ethiopia, its last colonizer, in 1993. But independence did not end the wars in Eritrea. Conflicts with Yemen and Ethiopia followed. Latest UN reports (2005) warned that the humanitarian situation in Eritrea was deteriorating, mainly due to recurrent drought and the protracted stalemate in the peace process with Ethiopia. Eritrea is run by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) with president Isaias Afewerki, who has been in office since independence in 1993. Other political groups are not allowed to organize, although the unimplemented constitution of 1997 provides for the existence of multi-party politics.

National elections have been periodically scheduled and cancelled; none have ever been held in the country. (2,300 meters (7,500 ft.) above sea level; pop. 435 000) Other Cities: Keren (57,000); Assab (28,000); Massawa (25,000); Afabet (25,000); Tessenie (25,000); Mendefera (25,000); Dekemhare (20,000); Adekeieh (15,000); Barentu (15,000); Ghinda (15,000). Government: Ssingle-party presidential republic. In 2004 the U.S. State Department declared Eritrea a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its alleged record of religious persecution. Independence: Eritrea officially celebrated its independence on May 24, 1993 (from Ethiopia) Constitution: Ratified 24 May 1997, but not yet implemented.

Geography: Location: Eastern Africa, in the Horn of Africa bordering the Red Sea in northeast. Area : 117,600 km². (45,405 sq. mi.) Terrain: Central highlands straddle escarpment associated with Rift Valley, dry coastal plains, and western lowlands. Climate: Temperate in the mountains and hot in the lowlands, hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast;. People: Nationality: Noun and adjective--Eritrean(s). Population : 6 million (about 1 million Eritreans in exile). Ethnic Groups: Tigrinya 50%, Tigre 31.4%, Saho 5%, Afar 5%, Beja 2.5%, Bilen 2.1%, Kunama 2%, Nara 1.5%, and Rashaida .5%. Religions: Christian 50% (mostly Orthodox), Muslim 48%, indigenous beliefs 2% Languages : Tigrinya (Tigrigna), Arabic, English, Tigré (second major language) and other Cushitic languages.

Literacy: 53% Natural resources: Gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish. Agriculture products: Sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish. Industries: Food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles.

Question: Asmara is the capital city of which country?
Answer: Eritrea